Get them in: Forward Tom Lynch (concussion) is excepted to return for Friday night's clash with Richmond at the MCG. Midfielder Sam Gibson (hamstring) and forward Riley Knight (hamstring) could also be available. Did Rory Atkins do enough in the SANFL – with 28 disposals – to earn an instant senior recall?

Under the pump: First-year forward Darcy Fogarty (eight disposals and one goal against West Coast) could be dropped for the fifth time this season to accommodate Lynch's return. Curtly Hampton, Myles Poholke and Jordan Gallucci are also on the fringe.

Medical room: Winger David Mackay suffered damage to his ribs in last week's win against the Eagles. As mentioned above, Lynch, Gibson and Knight will be assessed.

Verdict: Fogarty desperately unlucky, but likely to be squeezed out for team balance. In: Lynch and Atkins. Out: Fogarty and Mackay. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: After being dropped a couple of weeks ago, Ben Keays kept his name right under Chris Fagan's nose with another strong NEAFL showing at the weekend.

Under the pump: In what the coach rightly described as a team effort against Fremantle, you could nit-pick and say Oscar McInerney was quiet, but that would be unfair.

Medical room: Rohan Bewick returned early from injury in the reserves at the weekend and played well. Harris Andrews will be re-assessed next week.

Verdict: Unless there's a mishap at training or an undisclosed injury, there won't be any changes this week. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Dale Thomas will return from a one-match ban this week. Matthew Kreuzer is also a chance to come back into the side after missing last week with an ankle injury, while Patrick Kerr also made a successful return from a hip injury through the VFL. Harry McKay did some nice things in the reserves last week to stake his claim for a spot in the side.

Under the pump: Cameron Polson has been quiet since returning to the senior team and could head back to the VFL as a result. Aaron Mullett made a few errors last week and could also see his spot in the side come under pressure.

Medical room: The Blues will sweat on Kreuzer's fitness, with the ruckman having missed last week. Caleb Marchbank remains unlikely to make his long-awaited return from an ankle injury. David Cuningham and Harrison Macreadie will likely face fitness tests.

Verdict: Thomas will come back into the team, while Kreuzer is a certainty to return should he prove his fitness. Kerr and McKay could be in the frame to support Charlie Curnow, while youngster Lochie O'Brien may return after a rest last week. - Riley Beveridge

Get them in: Tagger Levi Greenwood appears likely to be passed fit for Sunday's blockbuster against Essendon after a bout of concussion, while experienced speedster Travis Varcoe played a full game in the VFL and young midfielder Callum Brown has been in good touch. Sam Murray's pace might be required.

Under the pump: First-year rookie defender Flynn Appleby was responsible for seven clangers and gave away four free kicks. He'll need to quell one of the Bombers' speedy little men.

Medical room: Veteran backman Lynden Dunn (knee) leaves a huge hole but Greenwood should be available.

Verdict: In a restructure, Brody Mihocek is odds-on to be swung back to cover Dunn's absence, while Jordan De Goey will probably spend more time forward and a runner will be promoted. - Ben Collins

Get them in: Midfielder Dylan Clarke played well in the VFL with 25 disposals and Kobe Mutch had 20 touches, while defenders Ben McNeice and Aaron Francis continue to push their case for senior selection. 

Under the pump: It was a strong all-round performance from the Bombers on Sunday against North Melbourne with few non-contributors. Travis Colyer worked into his first game back in the senior side and Patrick Ambrose did his job in defence. 

Medical room: Coach John Worsfold said the Bombers got through the win over North unscathed and that none of their injured players would be in the frame for a return against Collingwood on Sunday. 

Verdict: There seems a good chance Essendon will go into the big clash against the Magpies unchanged given the quality of Sunday's performance. - Callum Twomey

Get them in: Doig medallist Bradley Hill served his one-game AFL suspension well, gathering 25 touches for Peel, and should be back to provide some dash against the Dees, while young ruckmen Sean Darcy or Scott Jones would be in contention with Aaron Sandilands (calf) going down.

Under the pump: Not many held their heads high after the Brisbane shocker, but late inclusion Ryan Nyhuis and recruit Brandon Matera would be especially nervous.

Medical room: Losing skipper Nat Fyfe to a hamstring might spare someone the axe. Could the Dockers finally roll the dice with Harley Bennell after 21 touches and a goal in his sixth WAFL appearance this year?

Verdict: Hill should return for Fyfe while Darcy looms as a logical inclusion to help Michael Apeness combat Melbourne giant Max Gawn. Bennell might have to wait one more week. – Travis King

The Dockers could turn to Bradley Hill for some speed against Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Scott Selwood will return, while Wylie Buzza kicked two goals in the VFL and could be the answer to the second-ruck issue. Second-year midfielder/forward Sam Simpson (22 disposals), Jackson Thurlow (29 disposals) and Jamaine Jones (six tackles) put their hand up.

Under the pump: James Parsons (nine disposals) and Jordan Murdoch (11 disposals) were quiet, while Jordan Cunico (eight disposals) had his quietest game of the year. Small forward Lachie Fogarty failed to lay a tackle.

Medical room: Mark Blicavs is a big watch, on limited duties with an injured toe during Tuesday's main session. Daniel Menzel will be held over for the round 17 trip to Adelaide and Lachie Henderson needs more time. 

Verdict: Scott Selwood for Cunico or Murdoch. Select two of Buzza, Fogarty, Simpson, Jones or Parsons. If Blicavs misses, Harry Taylor can move to defence to take on Buddy. - Mitch Cleary

Get them in: After overcoming concussion problems, Kade Kolodjashnij had a monster game in the NEAFL on Saturday with 31 touches, 14 marks and a goal. Jesse Lonergan might also be getting close to a recall.

Under the pump: In the midst of an excellent first season, Charlie Ballard was down against the Magpies and might need a rest. Ben Ainsworth was quiet too.

Medical room: Help won't be coming this week, but it's not far away with Pearce Hanley (shoulder) and Brayden Fiorini (leg) due back in the next week or two.

Verdict: After such a fight, it wouldn't be surprising to see Stuart Dew roll with the same team, but bringing in Kolodjashnij for Ballard should be a strong consideration. - Michael Whiting

Get them in: Young midfielder Nic Shipley had 32 touches, six tackles and kicked three goals in the NEAFL last week, with Harry Perryman (concussion) and Dylan Buckley (calf) dominant before being forced off for the second half.

Under the pump: After four wins in a row there's unlikely to be any unforced changes.

Medical room: Toby Greene (foot) and Brett Deledio (calf) are both running strongly but still haven't started full training.

Verdict: Barring any late injury worries, the Giants should head to Perth unchanged to take on West Coast. - Adam Curley

Get them in: James Worpel (20 disposals, nine clearances, seven inside-50s, two goals) and James Cousins (27 disposals and a goal) impressed for Box Hill on the weekend.

Under the pump: Tim O'Brien is battling, while Harry Morrison was quiet against the Giants.

Medical room: Jack Gunston was a late withdrawal because of a corked calf, while Will Langford missed most of the second half because of a finger injury.

Verdict: Much depends on how Gunston and Langford come up. The Hawks will likely need more run at Etihad against the Western Bulldogs, so Worpel, Cousins and Jonathan O'Rourke will all be considered. - Ashley Browne

Get them in: Billy Stretch (23 disposals, two goals) is in a good patch of form and is pushing his claim for a recall. Speedy youngster Oskar Baker is a chance to debut after a season-high 34 touches, Dean Kent, Jeff Garlett and Charlie Spargo will all be in contention as small forwards and tall defenders Sam Frost, Cameron Pedersen and Declan Keilty will also be considered.

Under the pump: Dom Tyson, Mitch Hannan and first-gamer Harrison Petty all struggled against the Saints. Does Melbourne make another statement and drop Jordan Lewis, Christian Salem or Christian Petracca?

Medical Room: No fresh injury concerns out of the weekend. Did Kent (hamstring) do enough in the VFL after a big stint on the sidelines?

Verdict: Stretch for Tyson, Keilty for Petty, Spargo for Hannan and Baker for Lewis. – Ben Guthrie

Get them in: Forward-midfielder Cameron Zurhaar made another strong case for an AFL recall with 25 disposals – 22 of them effective – in the VFL. Zurhaar could be competing for Mason Wood's spot with key forward Nick Larkey. Luke Davies-Uniacke had the weekend off as a match-day emergency. Ex-Essendon recruit Alex Morgan and second-year speedster Josh Williams also hit their straps in recent weeks.

Under the pump: North has given Tom Murphy a good run of four games, but he had just one kick against Essendon.

Medical room: Ben Jacobs has twice been a late withdrawal since he presented with delayed concussion at training. Jarrad Waite's injured calf could be a major factor at selection, given a forward slot is open with Wood's hamstring setback, but he remains in doubt. Ben McKay was a senior emergency, but didn't play at any level after hurting his left knee in the VFL the week before.

Verdict: Jacobs will play if he is clear of his concussion symptoms – probably at Murphy's expense – while Zurhaar or Larkey should get a senior opportunity as Wood's replacement, depending on North's preferred forward structure. – Marc McGowan

Cameron Zurhaar put his hand up with a solid game in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Key defender Tom Jonas (hamstring) is expected to return for Saturday's game with St Kilda. Darcy Byrne-Jones had a quiet game in the SANFL after being dropped for disciplinary reasons, while it could be time to recall Jack Watts after strong SANFL form.

Under the pump: Jack Hombsch will make way for Jonas. Todd Marshall could be squeezed out for Watts. Jack Trengove could also be very unlucky after 21 disposals in his Power debut, same goes for half-back Dan Houston.

Medical room: Jasper Pittard finished the win over Carlton on the bench with hamstring tightness, but the club says he's good to go. Jonas will be assessed.

Verdict: Two changes – Jonas and Watts for Hombsch and Trengove. Watts to play on a wing with Brad Ebert deployed across halfback. Trengove to get a reprieve if Pittard is ruled out. - Lee Gaskin

Get them in: Corey Ellis has been building solid VFL form over three weeks and deserves a run at AFL level. Connor Menadue was also among the best while Sam Lloyd had 23 disposals and Shai Bolton impressed.

Under the pump: They're going to lose two with Nick Vlastuin suspended for a week and Reece Conca to sit out until the latter rounds with a dislocated ankle, so changes outside of those are unlikely.

Medical room: Conca escaped surgery but will wear a moon boot for two weeks. He remains in good spirits and the Tigers believe he'll play before finals. Bachar Houli isn't available as his return from a groin injury extends out to five weeks, but Trent Cotchin is expected to be fine despite playing out the win over Sydney with a sore knee. Anthony Miles will miss after being concussed in the VFL while Nathan Drummond is out with another hamstring. Jacob Townsend is also unavailable because of a one-game VFL suspension. 

Verdict: Corey Ellis or Menadue for Conca. Ryan Garthwaite would be an interesting replacement for Vlastuin given the Crows' bevy of talls and the chance of Tom Lynch returning. Or, if Jack Higgins plays more midfield minutes with Conca out, the door could open for Shai Bolton or Tyson Stengle to re-stock the firepower. – Jennifer Phelan

Get them in: An exceptional game in the VFL from Tom Hickey will give St Kilda's hierarchy plenty to think about while Logan Austin and Sam Gilbert offer defensive options. Up forward, Josh Bruce booted three goals.

Under the pump: In the ruck, Billy Longer was comprehensively beaten by Max Gawn last week but the Saint did battle hard. It was only his first game but Darragh Joyce probably didn't perform as he would have liked.

Medical room: Young forward Josh Battle won't face Port Adelaide after fracturing his left eye socket. Star defender Jimmy Webster is battling a groin injury while a hamstring strain will keep Nathan Brown out.

Verdict: Austin, Bruce and Webster in for Battle, Brown and Joyce. – Dinny Navaratnam

Get them in: Dean Towers, Dan Robinson and Robbie Fox were held out of last week's NEAFL game so will be fresh, while defender Harry Marsh and midfielder Nic Newman are also in good NEAFL form.

Under the pump: Small forward James Rose got a shock call-up against Richmond but struggled to take his opportunity. Gary Rohan was again very quiet in a big game.

Medical room: Midfielder Isaac Heeney (concussion) looks likely to miss the clash with the Cats after copping a head knock against the Tigers.

Verdict: Towers and Fox in for Heeney and Rose. - Adam Curley

Get them in: The time might have come for injury-ravaged tall Nathan Vardy to play his first game for the season after snaring two goals for East Perth, while midfielder Dom Sheed couldn't have done much more with 34 touches and six inside 50s.

Under the pump: Journeyman Fraser McInnes hasn't grabbed his chance in two games, Brayden Ainsworth could make way for Sheed and Lewis Jetta is hardly setting the world on fire.

Medical room: Star forwards Josh Kennedy (knee) and Jack Darling (ankle) won't play, Mark LeCras (wrist) is doubtful and Liam Ryan's status is unknown after his car crash.

Verdict: Vardy and Sheed should be very close at match committee, while Daniel Venables might not be far away after two games back at East Perth. – Travis King

Forgotten big man Nathan Vardy could be in line for his first game of the season. Picture: AFL Photos

Get them in: Untried youngsters Callum Porter and Fergus Greene must be close to making their debuts after good VFL form, and one could be a replacement for the injured Lin Jong. Caleb Daniel is also available after a knee complaint. Ruckman Jordan Roughead should also be considered to help Tom Boyd counter Hawthorn's Ben McEvoy and Jon Ceglar.  

Under the pump: Coach Luke Beveridge would be happy with all his charges after a much-improved past fortnight.

Medical room: Bailey Williams (foot), Jong (collarbone) and Matt Suckling (Achilles) will all miss up to a month with their injury setbacks.

Verdict: Daniel and Roughead for Williams and Jong. - Ryan Davidson